Hurricane Matthew impacting air travel from Philly

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Flights from the Philadelphia area are being impacted by Hurricane Matthew as it bears down on Florida.

Flights from Philadelphia to locations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and more were already cancelled Thursday morning.

"We booked Wednesday, actually Tuesday we saw it was coming," said Kathy Newell of Wilmington, Delaware.

Kathy and Jerry Newell of Wilmington, due to fly home Friday, managed to get a direct flight out of Orlando on Thursday - and none too soon.

"When we left the hotel they were actually putting all the patio furniture and chairs into the swimming pool to keep them from blowing around so we're glad to be home," said Kathy Newell.

RELATED: Check flights at the airport's website or you can see updates from the airport's Twitter feed.

On its website, Fort Lauderdale International Airport said it was going to close at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Officials advised travelers to check with individual airlines about flight plans.

Andrew Haynh was scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale next week, but decided to try to get out Thursday morning - it didn't look good initially.

"It was pretty nervous cause I looked at board more than half the flights were red, canceled, and this was only at 8," said Haynh.

As Fort Lauderdale moved to shut down operations, Andrew found a way out and home at the last minute, and jumped on it.

"From Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, Tampa to Philadelphia," said Haynh.

Officials at Miami International Airport will continue monitoring the storm and warned of possible flight cancellations. On its website, officials noted that generally "airports don't' operate in sustained crosswinds that exceed 35 mph."

On Twitter, Miami airport officials said 341 arrivals and 305 departures had been canceled by mid-morning Thursday, "which is about 90% of our daily flight schedule." Officials also tweeted that "it's expected by noon most flights will stop flying," but the airport "technically remains 'open' and ready for when flights resume."

The Palm Beach International Airport website doesn't say when flights will be suspended, but asked travelers to stay away, noting that the airport is not intended for use as a shelter.

In Orlando, airport officials are preparing for hurricane conditions. In a note on its website, officials at Orlando International Airport say they plan to begin "reducing flights into Orlando and altering schedules starting Thursday, lasting through Friday." They, too, advise travelers to get in contact with individual airlines for flight plans.

The Jacksonville International Airport website also advises travelers to check flight status with the airlines before heading to the airport.

Amtrak has canceled its long distance service, such as the Silver Star, to Miami until further notice. It can't say when it will resume service. After the storm hits it will have to inspect its tracks for damage.

"We will look at our Infrastructure, inspect our infrastructure once the storm passes and once that is done, and we're given all clear by the authorities, we'll look to restart those services," said Mike Tolbert, Amtrak spokesperson.

American Airlines issued the following statement to Action News:

Hurricane Matthew is impacting our operation. Our updated/extended travel policy covers 36 airports - including our MIA hub - and allows customers whose travel plans are impacted to rebook without fees. Here's the latest:

Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI):

All departures and arrivals are canceled for the remainder of the day, Thursday, Oct. 6.
American plans to resume a reduced operation Friday, Oct. 7, subject to airport conditions:

MIA: Arrivals begin at 10 a.m. ET. Reduced departure operations will start at 1 p.m., with full operations anticipated by 4 p.m. ET.
FLL: American plans to resume operations at 12 p.m. ET.

PBI: American plans to resume operations at 12 p.m. ET.

Orlando International Airport (MCO):

All departures and arrivals will be canceled after 5:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 6; all operations will be canceled Oct 7.
American plans to resume a reduced operation at 9 a.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 8.

Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB):

All flights to/from Melbourne are canceled Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.
American plans to resume a reduced operation Oct. 8

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB):

All flights to/from Daytona Beach are canceled Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.

American plans to resume a reduced operation Oct. 8

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX):

All flights to/from Jacksonville are canceled Oct. 7.
American plans to resume a reduced operation at 10 a.m. ET, Oct. 8.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV):

All departures and arrivals will be canceled after 2:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 6; all operations will be canceled Oct. 7 and Oct. 8.
American plans to resume a reduced operation at 12 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 9.

Charleston International Airport (CHS):

All departures and arrivals will be canceled after 2:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 7; all operations will be canceled Oct. 8.
American plans to resume a reduced operation at 10 a.m. ET, Oct. 9.

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) and Wilmington International Airport (ILM):

All flights to/from Myrtle Beach and Wilmington are canceled Oct. 8.
American plans to resume a reduced operation at 10 a.m. ET, Oct. 9.

Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) and Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO):

All flights to/from Nassau and Freeport are canceled Oct. 7.
American plans to resume a reduced operation at 11 a.m. ET, Oct. 8